About

Emmanuel Ray wears Antony Morato/Milan Fashions UK

Emmanuel Ray was voted as Fashion Icon of the Year 2011 at Fashions Finest Awards UK. He is the first ethnic minority to have won a fashion icon award in Great Britain, and is known for his open, frank and charismatic nature.

As a fashion and entertainment presenter and commentator, Emmanuel Ray regularly contributes both online and on air. His column ‘Diary of an It Boy’ reached recognition in 2009 when he was hailed as ‘Britain’s First It Boy’ by the BBC.

Diary of an It Boy first appeared in Express Broadcast UK, and then in Laissez Faire, London’s latest free newspaper focusing exclusively on the arts. The column also appeared in Superstar Magazine, Break London Radio’s website, The Style Column, Work in Fashion, My Kali Mag and in kontraPLAN fashion journal, thereby becoming the first column to appear in five publications simultaneously.

Arguably the first column of its kind to be told from a man’s perspective, Emmanuel Ray entertained his audience with an honest account of his life and career. The column was spotted by a literary agent and Emmanuel is now working on his first book.

Emmanuel Ray has also reported on a variety of shows including London Fashion Week, Clothes Show Live, Ideal Home Show, Alternative Fashion Week, Fashion Week Gibraltar and various showbiz parties, launch parties and fashion events. He has also hosted media events at the BBC TV Centre and BBC White City. The Arts Show festival he hosted in 2009 at the historic Arts Club in London Mayfair, drew in over 2000 guests, becoming one of the most talked about private events in the area.

Emmanuel grew up in extreme poverty in war-torn Sri Lanka. He became a Dancer at the tender age of 6, and at 15, he was spotted by a photographer and embarked on a modeling career. He modelled in Europe, Asia and the Middle East where he also graced the runways at fashion shows. During the latter part of his career, he fronted promotions for Estee Lauder, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Robert Cavalli, MAC, Givenchy, Guerlian, Volkswagen and Hutchison Whampoa. He quit modeling in the mid noughties and returned to the scene as a fashion commentator and presenter, in March 2009.

Fashion TV’s UK Country Head Amanda Rudin named Emmanuel Ray as the best person to report on fashion. During London Fashion Week 2010, Emmanuel represented the British fashion industry on Italy’s World Fashion Channel. In April 2012, Emmanuel Ray inaugurated Fashion Week Gibraltar, having been picked by the country’s government and the event’s founder Reene Weston, to represent the British fashion industry.

Emmanuel Ray regularly raises funds for various charitable causes, and supports human rights and peace campaigns. He has represented Britain in Los Angeles’s celebrity-led NOH8 campaign against California Proposition 8 and in the international All Out campaign for against the Ugandan government’s controversial Kill The Gays bill. He was also involved in the Ministry for Peace campaign in British Parliament, 4D for World Peace by Uniting for Peace Uganda and has campaigned for the Ceylon Workers Congress in Sri Lanka, supporting poor labourers in the tea plantation sector. .

Emmanuel Ray’s current projects include launching a marketing agency for emerging fashion brands, a film styling project and writing his first book Diary of an It Boy. He continues to appear at various shows and events, presenting to and entertaining his audience.